A number of pastoralists from the Maasai, Sukuma and Mang’ati communities in Ulanga District in Morogoro Region are expected to visit Botswana on a mission to learn modern ways of raising livestock in small areas.

The study tour is part of government plans to persuade them to accept modern livestock keeping as a way to boost their income and conserve the environment.

This project should extend to other regions where pastoralists are still struggling to improve their lives. It is a typical case of living in poverty amongst riches. This cannot go on for much longer.

The tour comes at a time when Tanzania is grappling with the challenge of large herds in poverty-stricken populations. This is partly due to lack of communication among the pastoralist communities.

We laud the progress made by the famous pastoralist, Mr Andrea Mbogoma Ngiri, who sold part of his livestock and invested in another venture.  

His compatriots need to similarly raise their game and move on to modern livestock farming methods. This will involve selling part of their livestock and adopting new ways of life. But sticking with the less beneficial traditional way of keeping a lot of animals will eventually cost them dearly.

The government should make a point of investing in this important sector by, among other things, arranging study tours for all cattle keepers in order to guarantee them better standard of lives.

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